Agenda item

Draft School Accessibility Strategy

[Adrian Leach, Head of SEND, to present draft report]

Minutes:

Adrian Leach, Head of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), presented a report for pre-decision scrutiny. The Head of SEND outlined the background to the drafting of Schools Accessibility Strategy document. The Head of SEND advised the panel that there are 850 pupils in special schools and 7,500 pupils with disabilities in mainstream school provision.

 

There is a statutory duty on City Wolverhampton Council to produce a School Accessibility Strategy.

 

The Head of SEND outlined the scope and aims of the strategy and explained how the performance of the service will be monitored. The Head of SEND commented that as part of the process members of the public and other groups were invited to take part in a consultation. 

 

The panel were advised that a total 23 written responses were received to the consultation document.

 

The overall response to the consultation was very positive – an issue highlighted in the response was the need for the strategy to recognise the needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. The draft was revised to reflect this concern. The Head of SEND commented that the document is expected to have a positive impact on promoting access in schools for pupils with disabilities. The panel were invited the comment on the draft document as part of the consultation process.  A summary of the panel member comments is given below:

 

The panel queried the slow progress in meeting the educational needs of pupils with disabilities aims since the SEN and Disability Act 2001 set out duties and responsibilities on local authorities and schools and later legislation – when considering the comments to the consultation document from parents.

 

The Head of SEND responded that there is a challenge to the Council in getting academies to meet their duties, but it continues to work with schools to improve their provision. There is also the option for the Council to refer the matter to the Regional Schools Commissioner if there are concerns about a school meeting its responsibilities in respect of existing pupils and future pupils with disabilities.

 

The panel commented on the need for more staff to be trained in how to support the children with disabilities and the draft report should include a reference to this.

 

The panel commented that there was concern about the lack of training and support in primary schools – there was also concern about their ability to properly support children with behavioural issues which has sometimes led to them being excluded permanently. The panel suggested the guidance should include a reference to this and evidence that they have taken all reasonable steps to support the children.

 

The panel discussed the link with the SEND strategy which has been recently updated and suggested that the issue of the professional development of school staff could be presented to a future meeting.

 

The panel commented on the importance of schools building relationships with parents and highlighted the needs to get their support for the strategy to be successful.

 

The Head of SEND agreed to note the comments of the panel in the report that will be presented to Cabinet meeting on 17 October 2018.

 

The Head of SEND wanted to record formally the contribution to the drafting of the report of Henry Gregory (Graduate Management Trainee)

 

Resolved:

1.    The panel comments on the school accessibility strategy document to be included as an appendix to the Cabinet report on 17.10.18.

2.    A report on SEND strategy be presented to a future meeting of the panel.

Supporting documents: